Benzema Calls on Foreign Players in ROSHN Saudi League to Transfer Expertise to Saudis

French star Karim Benzema, player of Al-Ittihad Club, spoke at the Misk Global Forum. SPA
French star Karim Benzema, player of Al-Ittihad Club, spoke at the Misk Global Forum. SPA
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Benzema Calls on Foreign Players in ROSHN Saudi League to Transfer Expertise to Saudis

French star Karim Benzema, player of Al-Ittihad Club, spoke at the Misk Global Forum. SPA
French star Karim Benzema, player of Al-Ittihad Club, spoke at the Misk Global Forum. SPA

French star Karim Benzema, player of Al-Ittihad Club, called on professional foreign players in the ROSHN Saudi League to transfer all their expertise to Saudis.

Benzema made his remarks while participating in the first day of the seventh edition of the Misk Global Forum, which began its sessions on Wednesday at Al-Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah.

In the session titled 'Stars in the Desert', the French star spoke about Saudis and described them as "great people," saying: "They give us enthusiasm, and we will do our best to make them happy.”

Benzema expressed his surprise when he arrived in the Kingdom with the amount of hospitality that the Saudi people showed him.

The French star stressed his keenness to help his fellow players in training, especially the juniors, saying: "I should give them the best of my experience that I acquired from the Spanish club Real Madrid, and every professional player should give all of his experience to ensure the benefit of the people of this country. They deserve that."

Benzema commended the development of Saudi football, stressing the significance of international professional stars in the Saudi League to help their colleagues reach more advanced and prosperous stages in the game.



Ousmane Dembélé Back in PSG Squad to Take on Nice in French League

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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Ousmane Dembélé Back in PSG Squad to Take on Nice in French League

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, center, duels for the ball with Rennes’ Christopher Wooh during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Ousmane Dembélé is back with Paris Saint-Germain after he was left out from the squad that lost 2-0 to Arsenal in the Champions League midweek.

PSG coach Luis Enrique was criticized after the loss for not selecting Dembélé, one of the most creative players in the team following the departure of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid.

Dembélé was selected in a group of 21 players named by Enrique traveling to Nice on Sunday night. PSG can move back to the top of the French league standings with a win, The AP reported.

Enrique had blamed Dembélé for a perceived lack of commitment from the France forward but did not give more details. He denied he had a personal argument with him after L’Equipe reported the duo verbally clashed following PSG’s 3-1 win against Rennes in the French league last weekend. Dembélé had an assist in the match.

“There is just a problem of commitment toward the team, it’s not a problem between the player and the coach,” Enrique said through a translator.

PSG traveled to London with 22 players but without Dembélé, who has been a key element in PSG’s unbeaten start to the season. In six Ligue 1 matches, Dembélé has scored four goals and added three assists.

“I took the best possible decision,” Enrique said, adding he was supported in his choice by the club director.

Enrique’s other options up front to cover Dembélé include Randal Kolo Muani and Désiré Doué.

“Other players will be able to take over,” PSG right back Achraf Hakimi said. “The most important thing in the team is the group, and our group is united.”